News

2010-03-09 14:09:46.793

Wedding Bells and Dollar Signs for Springfield Lottery Winner

Barbara Lacy had a busy week. The 74-year-old got married on Feb. 28, moved from Rolla to Springfield with her new husband, and by the following weekend, she was $30,000 richer thanks to a last-minute decision.

While traveling with her son, she decided to stop at Phillips MPC, 1400 Highway 72, in Rolla. The newlywed said she’s "fascinated with colors and the way the front of the picture is" on Missouri Lottery Scratchers tickets. When she looked down at the ticket display case, a "Fast $50’s" caught her eye.

"I want that ticket," she said to the clerk.

Moments later, she uncovered a $30,000 prize.

"I wasn’t sure, and I said to him (son), ’Look at this,’" she recalled. "He goes, ’Mom, you won!’"

After confirming the win, Lacy’s son drove his mother home to share the news with her husband.

"He (husband) just stared and said, ’Are you serious?’" she noted.

Lacy plans to "pay a lot of bills and then celebrate" with the windfall. The retired nurses’ aid, who is originally from Maine, said she might also take a trip to the east coast to visit family and friends.

"I didn’t even dream of ever being able to go anywhere or do anything," she added. "It’s a wonderful feeling!"

"Fast $50’s," a $2 game with a top prize of $30,000, officially began on Feb. 27. Lacy won the first top prize in the game. To date, seven top prizes, as well as thousands of prizes ranging from $2 to $3,000, remain in play.